Hyderabad, April 18: What started as a clouded afternoon turned into chaos as Hyderabad witnessed sudden thunderstorms this Friday evening. Heavy showers, gusty winds, and even hailstones in some parts of the city took people by surprise, leading to traffic jams, loss of property, and deadly casualties.
By 5:45 PM, some areas like Nanakramguda, Manikonda, Gachibowli, Hitec City, and Begumpet were lashed with heavy rain along with strong winds. Locals complained of trees being uprooted, electric wires snapped, and waterlogging at major junctions, and traffic completely coming to a standstill in most areas.
Two Lives Lost in Keesara
The worst impact of the storm was in Keesara, a suburb on the city’s outskirts, where a giant tree collapsed due to high winds, killing two individuals. The victims were said to have been taken by surprise as the tree collapsed unexpectedly during the peak of the storm, according to local reports. Rescue teams responded to the scene immediately, but the two individuals had already succumbed to their injuries.
Power Infrastructure Takes a Hit
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) certified that at least 22 electrical poles were damaged in areas like Kondapur, Rajendranagar, Saroornagar, Saifabad, Azamabad, and Charminar. Fallen trees were also responsible for the damage, causing power disruptions in various residential and commercial areas. Authorities assured that power had been restored to most areas in one hour.
Sudden Storm Despite Dry Weather
Interestingly enough, the storm in rain today reached Hyderabad after the previous weather forecasts had indicated dry spells. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) gave a yellow alert just hours before the storm, anticipating probable thunderstorms, lightning, and windy weather conditions in Hyderabad and the neighboring districts.
Social networking sites shared clips showing frightening images of hailstones smashing the roofs of homes and trees crashing on roads.
Traffic Congestion and Waterlogged Roads
With visibility dwindling and roads soon becoming slippery, heavy traffic jams were seen in Banjara Hills, Ameerpet, Madhapur, and Jubilee Hills. GHMC personnel were deployed to clear fallen trees and clear stormwater drains.
Safety Advisories in Place
The authorities have also advised individuals to remain indoors and refrain from parking their cars under trees or flimsy buildings. The GHMC Disaster Response Force is on standby, and individuals are requested to contact emergencies at 040-21111111 or 9000113667.
A GHMC officer stated, “We’re facing tree falls, electricity lines, and waterlogging. All the teams are on the ground, and we request people’s assistance.”
More Rain Ahead?
Although the severity of the storm has softened in recent evening hours, the IMD has not ruled out more rain or lightning in the 24 hours to come. The public is recommended to stay updated through official websites and news media.
Last Thoughts
Hyderabad’s unexpected rain is a stark reminder of the speed with which weather can turn hazardous. With changing trends in climate, better preparedness and prompt warnings are the way to minimize loss and save lives.
Stay safe, Hyderabad.
Get more updates at satvnews.in.
